New Zealand Conservation

  New Zealand

• Auckland: 
Auckland

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Available all year round

Description: Kiwi Conservation is an excellent way to explore the north island of New Zealand. Volunteering is a fantastic way to experience New Zealand. You could go there primarily to take part in this voluntary work, or spend a few weeks volunteering before travelling to other parts of the country! You will be getting involved in hands-on environmental projects and meeting volunteers from all over the world.

* Typical Itinerary
If you would like to volunteer on the North Island then projects start on a Saturday, if you would like to volunteer on the South Island then your project starts on Friday. After spending a couple of days relaxing, enjoying all the great facilities of the hostel and seeing the sights, you will be met on Monday morning by a CVNZ team leader. You will receive a health and safety briefing and receive details about the projects you will be undertaking before traveling to the project location!

Project hours run from 8am - 4pm and you will have your weekends free, although some travel can take place on Sundays. You will often travel to a different project location every week or two. This means that you will usually get to take part in a variety of project activities in different areas!

* Project Orientation
After spending a couple of days in Auckland you will be met in the hostel reception on the Monday morning by your CVNZ team leader. At this time you will have an orientation which will include a health and safety briefing and further details about the projects that you will be taking part in. This is also the perfect time for you to ask your team leader any questions you have about your time on the project.

* Project Support
Throughout your time on the project you will have the support and guidance of your team leader. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your project.

In addition you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.

Please note that due to the ever changing climatic and environmental conditions we cannot guarantee exactly what you will be doing, however, some typical tasks include; tree planting, coastal restoration, pest plant removal, track maintenance, flora and fauna surveying and habitat restoration.

Highlights: New Zealand is extremely popular in terms of tourism, especially with backpackers due to its diverse range of geographical features, extreme sports and cosmopolitan cities. It is one of the most recently populated major landmasses, settled by the Maoris in the year 1000. The Maori language native to New Zealand is named Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud.

New Zealand consists of two main islands, the North and the South. The North Island, home to the major cities: the capital Wellington and The city of sails Auckland is mainly volcanic in origin boasting many seismic features such as geysers and hot springs. The South Island is separated down its length by the Southern Alps, the highest point of which is Mount Cook/ Aoraki. For a landmass that is a little larger than the UK, the population is only 4.1 million - which makes the ratio of sheep to people 10:1! However, this means that despite the huge number of visitors that travel to New Zealand every year it never really feels crowded.

So if you want to pump up your adrenalin, bask in the peace and tranquillity of Milford Sound or cruise dramatic bays spotting dolphins and whales... New Zealand is the place for you!

Qualifications:
- Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants health.
- You should be in good health and reasonably fit. You will not be expected to work outside your own capabilities, but bear in mind the terrain and activities will vary! Teamwork is an essential element of this programme, as everyone will be working closely together.

Cost in US$: from GBP449 to GBP1,519. Please visit our website for more details.

* For information on what is not included please visit our website.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants health.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to New Zealand Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Real Gap Experience's Mission Statement:

Real Gap offer over 350 projects and travel options in over 35 countries over 6 continents. So whether you are interested in volunteering, community work, conservation, paid work overseas, teaching English, learning a new skill, adventure travel or sports and expeditions, you will find what you are looking for with Real Gap.

Not only about we passionate about responsible travel, we are pretty keen on making sure you have a good time too! Our travel advisors have traversed the globe and taken their own gap years, so they can give you all the advice you need to plan yours. You will also get support from both our on-site and office staff who understand the needs and expectations of Real Gap travelers.

Year Founded: 2005